The overwhelming majority of New York State residents again a legislation to ban mask-wearing in public throughout protests to assist uncover hate and criminality, a brand new survey finds.
A staggering 75% of voters assist a masks ban — with assist throughout all demographics, based on the ballot, performed by Mercury Public Affairs for the civil rights coalition #UnMaskHateNY.
Greater than two-thirds of 800 respondents queried — 68% — mentioned though defending free speech rights throughout protests is essential, it should be balanced with public security and doesn’t lengthen to somebody terrorizing others by partaking in hateful or harassing conduct.
Solely 23% of the 800 respondents mentioned they consider individuals ought to have the flexibility to put on something they select no matter their conduct, based on the survey.
About 60% of voters consider that hate and harassment based mostly upon an individual’s race, ethnicity or spiritual affiliation is worse now than it has been in a very long time, whereas solely 12% declare it’s higher than earlier than, the ballot discovered.
However an eye-popping 74% of Jewish voters surveyed mentioned discrimination and harassment is worse, as did two-thirds of aged voters over the age of 65.
In the meantime, 55% of voters acknowledged they really feel much less protected, together with 58% of aged aged voters and 60% of girls.
Moreover, 50% of voters polled mentioned they’re involved that they could be a sufferer of focused harassment or a hate crime.
However the quantity skyrockets amongst minorities — 67% of black voters, 68% of Asian voters, and
76% of Jewish voters are involved about being singled out for discrimination.
Quite a few studies and research have proven that antisemitism towards Jewish New Yorkers and People has exploded following the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas’ assaults on Israel. Anti-Israel protests grew to become commonplace in response to the continued warfare in Gaza for the reason that assaults.
Members of the #UnMaskHateNY coalition mentioned it’s for state lawmakers to behave and approve a masks ban much like a longstanding ban they are saying helped expose the Ku Klux Klan after the group terrorized black People within the 1900s.
New York’s earlier ban on face coverings was repealed through the COVID-19 pandemic, when masks have been thought-about important in curbing the unfold of the lethal illness through the peak of the outbreak.
A proposed new legislation would include medical and spiritual exemptions that will enable individuals to put on masks.
Lengthy Island’s Republican-run Nassau County authorized a neighborhood final August, and the measure has to date withstood scrutiny of the courts.
“I’m a son of the Jim Crow South and keep in mind a time when those that wore masks did so to keep away from accountability whereas terrorizing households like my very own,” mentioned Marc Morial, president and CEO of the Nationwide City League and former Mayor of New Orleans.
“There isn’t any denying a hyperlink between anonymity and abuse, and we will by no means let that portion of our historical past return once more into the current day,” he mentioned.
Eric Goldstein, CEO of the UJA Federation of New York, mentioned his group helps regulating masks sporting “as a important step in advancing security for all.
“These survey outcomes mirror a state united towards hate and a shared dedication to fostering security and accountability in our public areas,” Goldstein mentioned.
Penalties for many who flout the measure and deliberately put on masks throughout hate-filled protests, acts of vandalism and different crimes would vary from a violation to aggravated harassment, a Class A misdemeanor that would end in one 12 months befhind bar’s, mentioned one of many invoice’s sponsors, Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz (D-Bronx).
The survey was performed by Mercury Public Affairs from Dec. 16-20, 2024, amongst 800 energetic voters. The sampling contains cellphones and landlines.
The margin of error is plus or minus 3.46 proportion factors.